Morocco Unveils Stringent Measures to Curb State Vehicle Misuse

In a bold move to enhance fiscal responsibility and public accountability, the Moroccan government is poised to implement sweeping reforms in the management of state-owned vehicles. This initiative, spearheaded by a forthcoming Prime Ministerial decree, aims to address longstanding concerns over the misuse of public resources and introduce a more rigorous system of oversight.

Minister Nadia Fettah Alaoui, in a recent disclosure, unveiled plans for immediate corrective measures designed to streamline the state vehicle fleet's management. The proposed reforms are comprehensive, touching on various aspects of vehicle acquisition and usage.

At the heart of these reforms lies a commitment to fiscal prudence. The government intends to establish periodic caps on vehicle acquisitions, a move that promises to temper expenditure and promote more judicious use of public funds. Equally significant is the drive to ensure that government vehicles are utilized strictly for official purposes and operated exclusively by authorized personnel.

In a bid to enhance transparency and accountability, the decree will mandate detailed mission orders for each vehicle use. These orders will be required to specify crucial information including the duration of use, purpose, destination, route, driver's name, and the identities of any accompanying individuals. Furthermore, each order must bear the name and title of the official authorizing the mission, creating a clear chain of responsibility.

The anticipated decree goes beyond mere regulation, emphasizing the need for public managers to strictly adhere to existing guidelines. This forms part of a broader, integrated approach to reform the management of the state vehicle fleet.

An analysis of budget allocations from 2018 to 2023 reveals intriguing trends. Despite fluctuations – with the lowest allocation during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic and the highest in 2023 due to inflationary pressures – the overall budget for state vehicles remained relatively stable. On average, annual expenditure for vehicle acquisitions hovered around MAD 420.54 million ($42 million), with vehicle rentals accounting for a mere 2% of total expenses.

Minister Fettah also highlighted the government's commitment to transparency in procurement. The vehicle acquisition process, she noted, adheres to the new public procurement decree, which mandates open tender calls. Exceptions are made only for defense and security needs, which may be subject to special contracts.

It's worth noting that the management of government and public institution vehicles is not operating in a regulatory vacuum. A series of decrees and circulars already exist, aimed at regulating fleet components, reducing their size, and cutting costs. These regulations explicitly prohibit the personal use of utility vehicles, enforce internal monitoring systems, and demand strict compliance with existing rules.

As Morocco embarks on this ambitious overhaul of its state vehicle management system, the eyes of the nation – and indeed the region – will be watching closely. The success of these reforms could set a new standard for public resource management in North Africa and beyond.